Would-be renters following the property press will know that the government has proposed a bill that could make it easier for pet owners to rent property. While we wait to see if the proposed bill will be accepted, pet owners may still face problems when trying to find somewhere animal-friendly to rent. However, by showing landlords what a responsible pet owner you are, and preparing for a conversation, not a fight, you should be able to overcome these difficulties. 

In this blog, we look at what the new bill could mean for renters, share our tips for renting responsibly with pets and how to persuade your landlord. 

What could the Renters (Reform) Bill 2022-23 mean for pet owners?

The bill was proposed in May 2023 and has yet to become law. However, if it is made law, it will oblige landlords to accept pets in rental properties unless the landlord can make a reasonable case to refuse. While this sounds a bit vague, it does mean that flat refusal should be a thing of the past. At the very least, pets and their owners should be considered on their own merits – for example, a well-trained dog that might have been refused in the past could stand a chance under the new bill. 

We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, we’ve put together some other tips for renting with pets.

Top tips for renting with pets

Give yourself plenty of time for house-hunting. It’s not easy finding a pet-friendly property, so start looking as early as you can. 

When you’re doing a property search, tick the “pets allowed” box in the filters. This should stop you wasting time pursuing unsuitable rentals. 

If you’ve rented with pets before, ask your old landlord for a reference. This could reinforce your position as responsible pet-owning tenants. 

Be prepared to take out extra insurance to cover the fixtures, fittings and contents of the property. That way, if your pet does any damage, the costs will be covered. 

Invest in some enzyme-based stain and odour remover – great for cleaning up after accidents, especially if the property has carpets. 

If the move is likely to stress your pets out, a plug-in diffuser will release calming pheromones to help them cope. This could reduce the amount of scratching, accidents and other undesirable behaviour that puts landlords off. 

Top tips for persuading landlords to let you rent with pets

Approach the situation calmly. The landlord won’t necessarily refuse your request, especially if you go about it politely and can prove you’re a responsible pet owner. 

If you already have a pet and you’ve rented a pet-friendly property before, show the new landlord any references you have.

Introduce your pet to the landlord. When the landlord sees how well-trained your dog is, or what a docile cat you have, they’re more likely to let them move in. Often, refusing pets is just a way of protecting properties from worst-case scenarios.

Show your landlord how responsible you are about both your pet and the property. Take your dog to obedience classes, and educate yourself about animal behaviour. Not only will it improve your relationship with your pet, but mentioning it to the landlord could help your case too. 

Offer to have the property deep-cleaned when you move out. This will get rid of any pet hair and odours that might put future tenants off.

And finally…

Never take on an animal unless you have permission from your landlord. Responsible breeders and animal charities will check with you that you are allowed to have a pet in your current home before they will let you buy or adopt. Being forced to give up a pet can be heartbreaking for owner and animal alike. Don’t risk it!

Rent property in Guildford

If you have property to rent in Guildford, the friendly team at Cobbles would love to help you find the right tenants! To find out more, get in touch on 01483 457 000.